Global insurance and reinsurance broker Willis Group is seeking to increase its activity in the Asia regions capital market and investment banking focused segment of the re/insurance markets with the announcement of a new hire to its Willis Capital Markets & Advisory (WCMA) division. Effective immediately, Michael Guo has been appointed as Managing Director and Head of Asia for WCMA.
Guo will be based in Hong Kong and will report directly to Tony Ursano, Chief Executive Officer of WCMA. The role will see Guo responsible for developing WCMA’s capital markets and strategic advisory business in Asia.
Guo has more than fifteen years of experience working with financial institutions. He joins from his most recent role with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where he was a Partner and Managing Director of the firm’s Financial Services Practice, covering insurance, banking, brokerage and fund management. He was also the Regional Leader of BCG’s Corporate Banking Segment in Asia.
Commenting on the appointment of Guo, Tony Ursano, said; “We are delighted to welcome Michael to Willis Capital Markets & Advisory. His strong knowledge of the insurance landscape in Asia will be invaluable as we continue to expand our strategic advisory and capital markets offerings on a global basis. Michael’s hire also underscores our commitment to becoming a major player in the insurance investment banking arena in Asia. We are also thrilled that Michael shares our collective commitment to building the highest quality insurance investment banking platform in the world.”
Guo commented; “I am looking forward to building a high impact and high quality business for WCMA in Asia, bringing together the vast insurance industry expertise and resources of the Willis Group with WCMA’s unparalleled experience and expertise in the insurance investment banking arena.”
The capital market focused divisions of the global insurance and reinsurance brokers will find opportunities in Asia grow rapidly in the coming years. WCMA is largely focused on mergers & acquisitions, arranging, structuring and marketing insurance-linked securities and catastrophe bonds as well as other insurance and reinsurance fund capital raising transactions. The capital markets have a large role to play as insurance and reinsurance activity grows in Asia and WCMA is ensuring it has a foothold in the region so that it can capitalise on this.
Read our coverage of WCMA’s recent ILS market quarterly report: New inflows and return of generalist investors aiding ILS market growth.
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